Make your own serum (and our best recipes!)

A serum is a rich liquid mixture, very often made from precious vegetable oils. Basically, it is a concentrate of nutrients and active ingredients for the face. Since it generally contains only an oily phase, it will not hydrate the skin per se (unless you concoct a two-phase serum!), but rather help it retain its own moisture, in addition to nourishing and revitalizing the tissues.

A serum is a product that can be customized for all sorts of uses:

– reducing the effects of the sun and external aggressions

– preventing premature skin aging

– providing suppleness & tone

– revitalizing and evening out the complexion

– soothing skin redness

Have you never used vegetable oil in your facial skincare? Are you short on time right now to make a serum? Do you just want to receive it ready-made and fall madly in love with it, day after day? Our ready-to-use flower serum, marshmallow serum, and chamomile serum, all fresh and handmade at our studio, are just waiting for you.

Want to go further? Take a look at our online workshop on making facial serums! This workshop is also available in person at our storefront!

Always apply the serum to a clean, makeup-free face. If you want to use it according to the rules of the art, apply it after a toner (or a hydrosol) and before a cream (or a facial butter). Well, since we’re a bit loose and don’t like rigid routines, we often just go by what our skin needs. Often, we don't apply anything before or after, and presto! We start our day. Other times, we apply a lotion before or a cream after if we feel our skin is dehydrated and particularly in need of care. We just go by feel!

You only need a small amount of serum to cover your face and neck, approximately 4 to 10 drops. Warm the serum in your hands and apply it to the skin without rubbing too much. Help it penetrate by tapping gently. If you have a jade roller or a gua sha stone, this is the time to use it!

Choosing ingredients

Okay, we said there were no rules, but there is still one very small one. In our formulation, it is important to take into account the comedogenic potential of the oils.

Huh?

Yes.

Since oils are all unique, the potential for pore-clogging with their molecules varies from one oil to another. For example, sunflower oil is low- or non-comedogenic, whereas wheat germ oil is more so. The comedogenicity scale ranks the index of oils on a scale from 0 to 5, with 0 being none and 5 being very high. Obviously, highly comedogenic oils should be avoided (we aren't showing you any here, by the way), but generally speaking, more comedogenic oils will be present in smaller quantities in the blend. The comedogenicity index of each suggested ingredient is listed below.

Made in Quebec, versatile and accessible, it nourishes dry and very dry skin. It is also a choice carrier for essential oils and macerations.

Comedogenicity index: none

It penetrates deep into the tissues and helps restore skin hydration, so it is highly appreciated by dry and dehydrated skin. Its richness in omega-3 fatty acids allows it to reduce redness, irritation, and skin inflammation.

Comedogenicity index: none

Also made in Quebec, camelina oil is the ally of atopic, sensitive, or irritated skin; it brightens and evens out the complexion.

Comedogenicity index: none

Ideal as a base oil. Its texture is fluid and silky; it penetrates the skin wonderfully without leaving a greasy finish. It is an excellent solvent, therefore a very good carrier for essential oils, and a very good carrier oil for macerations! It helps the active ingredients penetrate the skin.

Comedogenicity index: medium

Precious oils

A must-have cosmetic ingredient for Berber women, argan oil restores radiance to dull skin, prevents premature aging, and supports the regeneration of facial tissues.

Comedogenicity index: none

Thanks to its antioxidant content, it helps prepare the skin for tanning and reduces cellular damage caused by sun exposure, in addition to nourishing the skin, brightening the complexion, soothing redness, and reducing the appearance of scars.

Comedogenicity index: very low

A classic ingredient in facial serums: it prevents the appearance of wrinkles, nourishes dry skin, and helps reduce the appearance of scars.

Comedogenicity index: very low

It is the friend of people with combination, oily, or acne-prone skin, although it is suitable for all skin types. Its main action is to regulate sebum production. Sensitive skin also appreciates it! There may be a short adaptation period with this oil: the skin produces more sebum for a few days before returning to normal.

Comedogenicity index: low

To enhance your serum, you can macerate certain plants in vegetable oil or use an oil macerate that is already ready for use. Plants that lend themselves well to this type of use include calendula, lavender, Damask rose, and chamomile, which revitalize facial skin, reduce redness, and give a healthy appearance to your lovely face! Check out our post on oil macerates so this technique holds no more secrets for you! Otherwise, get our ready-to-use macerates!